Assisted Living in Chicagoland
220 assisted living communities across Chicago and the collar counties.
Assisted living communities in the Chicago area help older adults with day-to-day tasks like bathing, dressing, medication management, and meals, while still offering private or semi-private apartments and a level of independence. It sits between fully independent living and the round-the-clock medical care of a nursing home.
In Illinois, assisted living communities are licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as "Assisted Living" or "Shared Housing" establishments, and are subject to periodic state surveys. Many communities also operate a separate memory care wing for residents with Alzheimer's or another dementia, which IDPH tracks separately as an Alzheimer's Special Care Program designation.
The listings on this page combine our own hand-vetted directory with Illinois's public IDPH licensing records, so you can see a facility's license status and recent state survey history alongside its contact information -- not just marketing copy.
Browse by county
Browse by city
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?
Assisted living is for people who need help with daily activities -- bathing, dressing, medication reminders -- but not continuous medical care. Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical and nursing care and are typically used for rehabilitation or higher-acuity long-term care.
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
Generally no. Medicare doesn't cover the room-and-board cost of assisted living. It may cover specific medical services delivered there (like a doctor visit), but not the residential care itself. Illinois's Medicaid-funded Supportive Living Program is a separate option for residents who qualify financially.
Is assisted living regulated in Illinois?
Yes. The Illinois Department of Public Health licenses assisted living and shared housing establishments and conducts periodic licensure surveys and complaint investigations, the records for which are public.